Echuca named in Victoria's burglary hotspot list

It is an alarming jump from the year before, where one in 77 homes were targeted, according to RACVs annual Burglary Statistics report, which uses Victoria Police data.

Crime Statistics Agency data showed residential burglaries in the town have risen by 131 per cent over the past year.

Which Detective Sergeant Barry Gray of Echuca criminal investigation unit said was a concern for police.

‘‘Police understand there are few offences that are as concerning to the community as a home burglary,’’ he said.

‘‘We do not underestimate the fact people not only deserve to be safe, but to feel safe.

The community can be assured we are working tirelessly to prevent, deter and disrupt crime and apprehend offenders.’’

Det. Sgt Gray said most burglaries in the town were committed by a small number of repeat offenders who acted alone.

‘‘Our crime investigation unit continues to monitor persons of interest and recently made a number of arrests relating to burglary-related offences,’’ he said.

While the report showed 23.6 per cent of burglaries are through a forced/broken door, compared to 13.7 per cent through unlocked doors, Det. Sgt Gray said Echuca’s offences were often opportunistic.

‘‘Offenders are entering homes either through open or unlocked doors and windows to steal items, including car keys,’’ he said.

This was the case earlier this month where an Echuca family was robbed twice in one week.

While a couple and their children were asleep in their Eyre St home, thieves entered an unlocked back door on November 10 and stole a wallet and purse.

A week later, their ute and trailer were stolen from the driveway.

‘‘It’s impacted our children, with one of them receiving counselling,’’ the resident said.

‘‘There’s not many nights she sleeps in her own bed. She feels like her space has been compromised.’’

The woman said the burglary was a lesson learnt and the family had changed its ways when it came to securing its home, property and vehicles.

‘‘We’ve been looking at renovating but we’ll be changing the design now so it’s more secure,’’ she said.

‘‘These statistics haven’t changed my view on Echuca though. I still feel safe living here. We just need to be more accountable for our actions.’’

In saying that, Det. Sgt Gray said everyone had the right to feel safe in their homes and communities.

‘‘We know offences such as burglaries or home invasions have been of concern in recent times and can have significant and long-lasting effects on victims and the wider community,’’ he said.

‘‘In most cases, offenders are doing this while the home owner is not present and, in some instances, we are seeing offenders in Echuca targeting unoccupied holiday homes.

‘‘We ask everyone in the community ensures their homes are secured at all times and we strongly encourage people call 000 regarding any suspicious behaviour as quickly as possible. This gives police the opportunity to attend and apprehend any offenders as soon as possible.’’

Det. Sgt Gray said reducing burglaries had been a focus of Victoria Police in recent years at strategic and local levels when decisions were being made about priorities for the area.

‘‘Victoria Police officers and PSOs will continue to proactively target known hotspots and patrol local areas in an effort to detect, disrupt and apprehend offenders and keep the community safe,’’ he said.